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Intelligence Ministry’s Role Underscored

Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei highlighted the role of intelligence forces in conducting an effective campaign against corruption to ensure the successful implementation of Resistance Economy.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the statement in a meeting with Intelligence Ministry officials in Tehran on Monday, IRNA reported.
Resistance Economy is a set of principles outlined by the Leader to boost self-sufficiency and domestic production, and ultimately wean it off oil revenues.
Iranian officials have raised warnings about the alarming rate of corruption, a serious threat to the domestic production, which forms the cornerstone of national economy.
President Hassan Rouhani, who came to office in 2013, has taken a tough line against rampant corruption, assigning his deputy, Es’haq Jahangiri, to lead a special taskforce to address the issue.
The Intelligence Ministry has announced that it intends to deal firmly with any financial activities that could disrupt the domestic economy.
Watchful Eyes
Ayatollah Khamenei also described the Intelligence Ministry as the “sharp and watchful eyes” of the Islamic Republic, and a “major bastion” for defending it.
“Wherever there is a possibility of enemies hurting the Islamic system, the ministry should be present,” he said. “It is an important bulwark and should never be vulnerable.”
The Leader said the principles of the 1979 Islamic Revolution should be watchwords for the ministry, adding that its officials should attach high importance to strengthening their faith in God.
“The failures of the arrogant [western] powers in the face of the Islamic Republic, despite hatching numerous plots and using various tactics since the early days of the revolution, were not possible without the help of faith [in God],” he said. Ayatollah Khamenei said any move that could weaken the faith of people and government officials is a “betrayal”.
“The defensive force that has saved the country in all these years is the force of faith, and if this powerful weapon is weakened, there will be many consequences,” he said.